Quick coupling cue stick

ABSTRACT

A multiple piece cue stick includes multiple stick portions which are coupled together by a sleeve bushing secured to one stick portion and a coupling rod secured to another stick portion. The coupling rod has an elongate shaft which fits within a smooth bore of the sleeve bushing and is coupled to the sleeve bushing by engaging male threads of the coupling rod with female threads of the sleeve bushing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.08/847,798, filed Apr. 28, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,966 which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/466,925, filed Jun. 6, 1995which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/260,588, filedJun. 16, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,455, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/079,488 filed onJun. 18, 1993, now abandoned, which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Multi-piece cue sticks for playing pool are generally two piece stickswhich consist of a lower shaft portion and an upper butt portion whichcan be assembled together for use or disassembled for transportation.Traditionally, the shaft and the butt are joined together with atwo-piece coupling. The coupling usually includes a bushing having astandard female thread secured within the lower shaft portion of the cuestick and a rod having a mating male thread secured within the upperbutt portion of the cue stick. The two portions of the cue stick arejoined together by screwing the male thread of the rod into the matingfemale thread of the bushing until the end of the shaft portion of thecue stick contacts the end of the butt portion of the cue stick.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A problem with this type of coupling is that the two portions of the cuestick may not become concentric with each other when joined together. Anon-concentric cue stick is undesirable because a non-concentric cuestick does not transfer energy to a pool ball as efficiently as aconcentric stick and therefore, the pool ball is not hit as sharply.Additionally, assembling the cue stick together by screwing the threadedrod into the bushing is time consuming, therefore, making it unsuitableto disassemble the cue stick during a game for using only the shaftportion as a cue stick when there are space constraints or for jumpingthe cue ball.

Accordingly, there is a need for a multi-piece cue stick in which thevarious portions of the cue stick can be assembled together so that thepieces are concentric with each other. Furthermore, there is a need forthe coupling of the multiple piece cue stick to be quickly engaged anddisengaged so that the user can assemble and disassemble the cue stickquickly during a game.

The present invention provides a cue stick which includes a first stickportion coupled to a sleeve. The sleeve has a smooth inner diameterportion and a female coupling region. A second stick portion is coupledto a coupling rod. The coupling rod has a smooth, elongate tip which hasa close fit with the smooth inner diameter of the sleeve and a malecoupling region which engages the female coupling region of the sleevefor coupling the coupling rod to the sleeve.

In preferred embodiments, the female coupling region of the sleeve is aninternal threaded region and the male coupling region of the couplingrod is a first external threaded region. The sleeve has an externalthreaded region for coupling the sleeve to the first stick portion. Thecoupling rod has a second external threaded region for coupling thecoupling rod to the second stick portion.

In one preferred embodiment, the internal threaded region of the sleeveand the first external threaded region of the coupling rod are acme-typethreads which are capable of being coupled together by twisting thesleeve and the coupling rod relative to each other.

The present invention provides a multi-piece cue stick which can berapidly assembled and disassembled by twisting the various piecesrelative to each other in one revolution or less. Additionally, the twopieces are joined together concentric with each other which enables thepieces to transfer energy more efficiently, thereby, allowing the userto hit a pool ball more sharply. Furthermore, the quick assembly anddisassembly feature of the present invention cue stick allows cue sticksof two or more pieces to be assembled and disassembled during a game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments of the drawings in which likereference characters refer to the same parts throughout the differentviews. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead beingplaced upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the present invention cue stick at theregion where two portions of the cue stick are coupled together.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the sleeve bushing.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the coupling rod.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a sleeve bushing and a coupling rod of apreferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a joint protector for protecting thesleeve bushing.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a joint protector for protecting thecoupling rod.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a coupling rod/collar assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, multi-piece cue stick 10 has a lowerstick portion 14 and an upper stick portion 12 joined together bycoupling 11. Coupling 11 includes a sleeve bushing 18 and a coupling rod16 which are coupled to stick portions 14 and 12 respectively.

Sleeve bushing 18 has a threaded region 20 and a smooth bore 38. Sleevebushing 18 is coupled to stick portion 14 by screwing and gluing thesleeve bushing 18 into stick portion 14. Alternatively, sleeve bushing18 and lower portion 14 can be coupled together by other suitable means.Coupling rod 16 has a smooth shaft region 28, a threaded region 26 and athreaded region 24. Coupling rod 16 is secured to stick portion 12 byscrewing and gluing threaded region 24 into stick portion 12.

Stick portions 14 and 12 are coupled together by inserting shaft 28 ofcoupling rod 16 into bore 38 of sleeve bushing 18 and twisting couplingrod 16 so that threaded regions 26 and 30 engage each other. Shaft 28and bore 38 are in a close slip fit with each other and locate stickportions 14 and 12 concentric with each other within 0.0005 inches whenthreaded regions 26 and 30 are engaged. This allows energy to betransferred from upper stick portion 12 to lower stick portion 14efficiently so that a pool ball can be hit sharply with cue stick 10.Threaded regions 26 and 30 have a large lead angle and allow stickportions 14 and 12 to be coupled to each other between approximately 1/4to one revolution relative to each other. This permits the user of cuestick 10 to quickly assemble and disassemble cue stick 10 during a game.Furthermore, this makes it feasible to use cue sticks having more thantwo pieces in a game.

In a preferred embodiment, the external threaded region 20 of sleevebushing 18 is a M12×1.75 3E4E type thread (FIG. 2). This provides sleevebushing 18 with a large enough wall thickness to allow threaded region30 to be a 0.360-11×0.160 inches deep stub acme thread. Inner diameterID₁ of bore 38 is dimensioned to be in a slip fit with shaft 28 with adiameter of 0.2751 inches+0.0002/-0.0000. A chamfer 40 between threadedregion 30 and bore 38 provides a smooth transition between threadedregion 30 and bore 38. Chamfer 40 is 15°×0.060 inch chamfer. The lengthL₁ of sleeve bushing 18 is one inch. Additionally, the width W₂ ofbushing head 22 is 0.130 inches wide while the diameter of bushing head22 is 0.500 inches.

In a preferred embodiment, shaft 28 has an outer diameter OD₁ of 0.275inches+0.000/-0.0002 (FIG. 3). The tip 34 of shaft 28 is angled at 5°for 0.250 inches and terminates at a radius 32. This allows shaft 28 toeasily engage bore 38 of sleeve bushing 18 without damaging the parts.When coupling rod 16 engages sleeve bushing 18, shoulder 36 is tightenedagainst shoulder 42. Shaft 28 has a length L₃ of one inch. Thread region26 is a 0.360-11 stub acme-4G type thread which has a length d₁ of 0.180inches. The stub acme thread allows up to 1/4 to one full turn ofengagement to tighten lower portion 14 to upper portion 12. Threadedregion 24 has a diameter of 0.3125 inches+0.0005/-0.005 with a 0.156full radius between the threads and a lead to a sharp point. The totallength L₂ of coupling rod 16 is preferably four inches long.

The slip fit between shaft 28 and bore 38 is shown to be -0.0001 looseto 0.0005 loose which achieves a maximum concentricity of 0.0005 betweenlower portion 14 and upper portion 12. However, the diameter OD₁ ofshaft 28 and the inner diameter ID₁ of bore 38 can be dimensioned to bewithin only 0.001 inches of concentricity.

FIG. 4 depicts another preferred embodiment of the present invention inwhich a sleeve bushing 118 and a coupling rod 116 are used to couplestick portion 14 to stick portion 12. Sleeve bushing 118 is fastened tolower portion 14 by screwing threaded portion 120 into lower stickportion 14. Coupling rod 116 is secured to upper stick portion 12 byscrewing and gluing threaded region 124 to upper stick portion 12.

In order to engage coupling rod 116 with sleeve bushing 118, shaft 128is inserted into bore 138 and rotated to engage threaded region 144 withthreaded region 130. The inner diameter ID₂ and outer diameter OD₂ aredimensioned relative to each other to provide a close slip fit so thatlower portion 14 and upper portion 12 are concentric with each other.

In a preferred embodiment, bushing head 122 has a width W₂ of0.110/0.115 inches and a radiused edge 148 of 0.020/0.025 inches. Theinner diameter ID₂ of bore 138 is 0.1800/0.1803 inches. A 45° chamfer150 allows threaded portion 144 to easily engage threaded region 130.Neck 146 is 0.373±0.002 inches in diameter by 0.110 inches wide.Threaded region 120 is a 7/16-14×0.780 long thread which has an outerdiameter of 0.436/0.430 inches and a pitch diameter of 0.389/0.384inches. The gap "g" between the threads is 0.018/0.021 inches wide. Thetotal length L₁₀ of sleeve bushing 118 is one inch. The threaded region130 has a 0.310-12.3×0.800 inches deep thread with a pitch diameter of0.2557/0.2562 inches and an inner diameter of 0.241/0.237 inches. Theouter diameter of bushing head 122 is 0.481+0.000/-0.001 inches.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer diameter OD₂ of shaft 128 is0.1800/0.1798 inches. Radius 142 allows the easy engagement of shaft 128with bore 138. The length L12 of shaft 128 is 0.240/0.250 inches.Threaded region 144 is a 0.310-12.3 thread×0.750±0.005 inches long witha pitch diameter of 0.2555/0.2558 inches. Smooth portion 140 is atransition region separating threaded regions 124 and 144. Transitionregion 140 has a width W₃ of 0.250 inches. Threaded region 124 is a5/16-14 thread having a outer diameter of 0.310/0.306 inches and a pitchdiameter of 0.264/0.261 inches.

FIG. 5 depicts another preferred embodiment of the present invention.Multi-piece cue stick 210 has a lower stick portion 214 and an upperstick portion 212 which are capable of being joined together by acoupling 211. Coupling 211 includes a sleeve bushing 218 and couplingrod 216 which are attached to stick portions 214 and 212 respectively.Coupling rod 216 has a shaft 228 and a threaded region 226 for engagingan internal smooth bore 238 and an internal threaded region 230 withinsleeve bushing 218. Coupling 211 also includes a tapered collar 240fastened to the end of upper stick portion 212 for surrounding andprotecting the threads 226 of coupling rod 216.

Stick portions 212 and 214 are coupled together by inserting shaft 228of coupling rod 216 into bore 238 of sleeve bushing 218 until threadedregion 226 reaches bushing head 222 of sleeve bushing 218. Stickportions 212 and 214 are then rotated relative to each other so thatthreaded region 226 engages threaded region 230. The stick portions 212and 214 are rotated for about one revolution until end 240a of collar240 is tightened against end 214a of stick portion 214. Shaft 228locates stick portions 212 and 214 concentric with each other so thatany runout in the threaded regions 226 and 230 does not affect theconcentricity of stick portions 212 and 214.

Sleeve bushing 218 has an external threaded region 220 which allowssleeve bushing 218 to be secured to lower stick portion 214 by screwingand gluing sleeve bushing 218 into threaded hole 217 until bushing head222 abuts end 214a of lower stick portion 214. Hole 217 is drilleddeeper than the length of threaded region 220 in order to form a cavity215 beyond sleeve bushing 218. Cavity 215 receives air displaced byshaft 228 of coupling rod 216 when stick portions 212 and 214 arecoupled together. It is of sufficient volume to prevent excessivepressure buildup which would interfere with coupling of the stickportion.

Sleeve bushing 218 is similar to sleeve bushing 18 but differs mainly inthat the dimensions are slightly different. Sleeve bushing 218 is 0.985inches long. Threaded region 220 has an M-12×1.75 modified thread inwhich the major diameter is preferably 0.463 inches and the pitchdiameter is 0.419/0.420 inches. Bushing head 222 is 0.130 inches wideand is 0.490+0.001/-0.000 inches in diameter. Threaded region 230 is an11 pitch thread 0.180 inches long with a major diameter of0.371+0.003/-0.000 inches and a minor diameter of 0.313+0.003/-0.000inches. Alternatively, other suitable pitches can be used such as a 9pitch or a 10 pitch. Bore 238 is preferably 0.2797+0.0002/-0.0000 inchesin diameter. Neck 220a is 0.125 inches wide and is 0.426 inches indiameter. Sleeve bushing 218 is preferably made of brass.

Coupling rod 216 is secured to upper stick portion 212 by screwing andgluing threaded region 224 into the threaded region 208b of hole 208.Diameter 225 fits within and is glued to the smooth region 208a of hole208 which centers coupling rod 216 concentrically within upper stickportion 212. Coupling rod 216 is screwed into hole 208 until threadedregion 226 abuts against end 204 of upper stick portion 212.

Coupling rod 216 is similar to coupling rod 16 but differs mainly inthat coupling rod 216 has a smooth diameter 225 between threaded regions226 and 224. Additionally, the dimensions of coupling rod 216 areslightly different then those of coupling rod 16. The length of couplingrod 216 is preferably 3.3750 inches. Diameter 225 has a spiral groove225a into which glue can seep. This forms a strong bond between diameter225 and the smooth region 208a of hole 208. Groove 225a has ten threadsper inch and is 0.005 to 0.008 inches deep. Diameter 225 preferably hasa 125 micro-inch finish, is 1.125 inches long and has a diameter of0.313+0.0000/-0.0005 inches. Threaded region 224 is 1.410 inches longand has a 5/16-14 modified thread with a major diameter of 0.304/0.300inches and a pitch diameter of 0.257/0.254 inches. Tapered hole 227provides a center for turning coupling rod 216 as well as a starter holefor drilling out the interior of coupling rod 216 to lighten the weightof coupling rod 216.

Threaded region 226 is preferably 0.218 inches long with a single leadthread. Threaded region 226 is an 11 pitch thread with a major diameterof 0.369+000/-0.002 inches and a minor diameter of 0.311+0.000/-0.002inches. The short length of threaded region 226 provides a quick leadthread which ends in about 13/4 revolutions. Alternatively, the lengthof the single thread in threaded region 226 can range from 1/4 to nomore than 2 revolutions. Threaded region 226 is dimensioned such thatthere is limited clearance between threaded region 226 of coupling rod216 and threaded region 230 of sleeve bushing 218. The minor diameter ofthe threaded region 226 preferably rides on the major diameter ofthreaded region 230. This helps keep the coupling rod 216 and the sleevebushing 218 to be concentric with each other. Threaded region 226preferably has a thread form which does not easily cross thread such asa thread with a truncated root and crest. This includes stub acme-typethreads or buttress threads. Alternatively, threaded region 226 can havea sharp vee thread or can have other suitable pitches such as a 9 pitchor a 10 pitch.

Shaft 228 is 0.970 inches long and is 0.2789+0.0000/-0.0002 inches indiameter. The length of shaft 228 is at least about three times itsdiameter. This provides a clearance between shaft 228 and bore 238 ofsleeve bushing 218 ranging from 0.0012 inches loose to 0.0008 inchesloose. However, alternatively, the clearance between shaft 228 and bore238 can be made to be as little as about 0.0005 inches or as large asabout 0.002 inches. Additionally, for low cost sticks, the clearance canbe made to be as large as 0.010 inches when the concentricity betweenstick portions 212 and 214 does not need to be precise. Tip 234 has a 5°angle which is 1/4 inches long and ends in a 0.125 inch radius. The 5°angle on tip 234 allows an assembled upper stick portion 212 to beturned between centers with a reverse center holding tip 234 so thatupper stick portion can be sanded or subjected to other operations. The5° angle and 0.125 inch radius on tip 234 also allows tip 234 to sustaindamaged on those surfaces (such as if upper stick portion 212 isdropped) without affecting the fit between shaft 228 and bore 238 ofsleeve bushing 218. This is due to the fact that the surfaces of the 5°angle and 0.125 inch radius are not in a sliding fit with bore 238. Inthe preferred embodiment, coupling rod 216 is made of stainless steeland shaft 228 is given a hard coat which allows shaft 228 to slideeasily within bore 238 of sleeve bushing 218. Alternatively, shaft 228can be given a textured finish by cutting shaft 228 at a high feed rateor other suitable means such as grinding, rolling or sand-blasting.

Tapered collar 240 is secured to upper stick portion 212 concentric withcoupling rod 216 by respective threaded regions 244 and 206 of collar240 and upper stick portion 212. Collar 240 is screwed onto upper stickportion 212 until collar 240 abuts against shoulder 202. Glue is appliedto threaded regions 244 and 206 to prevent collar 240 from loosening.Collar 240 extends beyond and surrounds threaded region 226 of couplingrod 216 to protect threaded region 226. The short length of threadedregion 226 allows threaded region 226 to be completely inside cavity 242of collar 240.

The number of revolutions required to engage and disengage stickportions 212 and 214 can be controlled by controlling the gap g₁ betweenshoulder 246 of collar 240 and end 204 of upper stick portion 212. Gapg₁ can be varied by varying the distance between shoulder 202 and end204. Controlling the gap g₁ allows end 240a to be axially positionedrelative to threaded region 226 so that sleeve bushing 218 does notengage the full length of threaded region 226. In this manner, thenumber of turns required to engage and disengage stick portions 212 and214 can be controlled or varied. Typically, gap g₁ is set so that stickportions 212 and 214 engage and disengage in about one revolution.However, gap g₁ can be set so that stick portions 212 and 214 engage anddisengage in less than one revolution such as 1/4 of a revolution.Additionally, if the length of threaded regions 226 and 230 are sizedaccordingly, stick portions 212 and 214 can be made to engage anddisengage in two revolutions, however, having two revolutions isconsidered unnecessary and undesirable. The preferable number ofrevolutions is no more than about one revolution.

The outer diameter of collar 240 preferably tapers from0.852+0.000/-0.001 inches at end 240b to 0.842+000/-0.001 inches at end240a. The length of collar 240 is 0.995+0.002/-0.000 inches. Collar 240has a threaded region 244 having a 5/8-18 modified thread 0.58 inchesdeep. The pitch diameter of threaded region 244 is 0.6225/-0.6255 inchesand the minor diameter is 0.596/0.599 inches. Internal Diameter 248 is0.5952+0.0002/-0.0000 inches. Shoulder 246 is 0.775+0.002/-0.000 inchesaway from surface 240b. Cavity 242 is 0.495+0.002/-0.000 inches indiameter. Collar 240 is preferably made from stainless steel.

Referring to FIG. 6, joint protector 250 can be coupled to sleevebushing 218 to protect sleeve bushing 218 against damage whenmulti-piece cue stick 210 is disassembled. Joint protector 250 has athreaded region 252 which mates with threaded region 230 on sleevebushing 218 so that joint protector 250 can be screwed to sleeve bushing218. Bushing head 222 fits within recess 254 and is completelyprotected. Joint protector 250 is tightened until surface 250a abutsagainst end 214a of stick portion 214.

Referring to FIG. 7, joint protector 260 can be coupled to coupling rod216 to protect shaft 228. Joint protector 260 has a threaded region 264which mates with threaded region 226 of coupling rod 216 and has a bore262 for accepting shaft 228. Hub 266 extends within cavity 242 so thatsurface 260a can be tightened against end 240a of collar 240. Jointprotectors 250 and 260 are preferably made out of delrin butalternatively, can be made of other suitable materials such as nylon,aluminum, brass, wood, etc.

FIG. 8 depicts another preferred embodiment of the present invention.Coupling rod/collar assembly 270 is preassembled before being secured toupper stick portion 212. Coupling rod/collar assembly 270 includes acoupling rod 280, a collar 240 and an adapter 271. Coupling rod 280 andadapter 271 are coupled together via respective threaded regions 284 and279. Glue is applied to threaded regions 284 and 279 to preventdisassembly. Adapter 271 and collar 240 are coupled together viarespective threaded regions 272 and 244. Glue is also applied tothreaded regions 272 and 244. Adapter 271 is screwed within collar 240until end 278 abuts shoulder 246. Diameter 274 of adapter 271 mates withdiameter 248 of collar 240 to align adapter 271 concentrically withincollar 240. In the preferred embodiment, adapter 271 is preferably madeof phenolic but alternatively, can be made of other suitable plasticssuch as nylon, aluminum, brass, wood, steel, etc.

Coupling rod 280 differs from coupling rod 216 mainly in that threadedregion 284 is located between threaded region 226 and smooth diameter282. Threaded region 284 is a 0.350-142A thread that is 0.375 incheslong. A neck 286 separates threaded region 284 from threaded region 226.Diameter 282 is 0.272+0.0005/-0.0000 inches in diameter and is 2.160inches long.

Coupling rod/collar assembly 270 is secured to upper stick portion 212by inserting and gluing diameter 282 into a hole within upper stickportion 212. Collar 240 is screwed and glued onto a threaded diameterlocated at the end of upper stick portion 212. Coupling rod/collarassembly 270 reduces the amount of labor required for assembling upperstick portion 212 and, therefore, increases production.

Although specific dimensions have been given for collar 240, sleevebushings 18, 118 and 218, and coupling rods 16, 116, 216 and 280, thosedimensions are merely examples and can be varied accordingly toaccommodate different applications. Additionally, the specifiedtolerances and thread types can be varied. The materials for collar 240,sleeve bushings 18, 118 and 218 and coupling rods 16, 116, 216 and 280,joint protectors 250 and 260, and adapter 271 can be made from anysuitable materials such as brass, aluminum, titanium, bronze, plastic,silver and gold as well as iron, steel or stainless steel. Sleevebushings 18, 118 and 218 can be coated with Teflon™ while the couplingrods 16, 116, 216 and 280 are coated with a hard coat or a metallicplating. This insures that the sleeve bushings 18, 118 and 218 and thecoupling rods 16, 116, 216 and 280 do not wear out quickly or becomeeasily scratched. Sleeve bushings 18, 118 and 218 and coupling rods 16,116, 216 and 280 can be machined between centers on a lathe.Furthermore, stick portions 12 and 14 can have a flat machined on themso that a logo can be put on the flat. A laser can be used to mark stickportions 12 and 14.

EQUIVALENTS

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, a prior art coupling having a coupling rod with a longthreaded portion can be modified to provide a coupling similar to thatdepicted in the figures. This is accomplished by turning down thethreaded portion of the male coupling rod leaving a length of threadhaving only 1 or 2 turns of thread. The turned down portion of thecoupling rod serves as a guide into the threaded sleeve. Such a couplingwould have quick coupling capabilities but would not hold two cue stickportions together in as precise concentricity as when the sleeve has asmooth bore to accept a smooth elongate tip of the coupling rod. Othermethods of modifying the prior art coupling includes cutting the malecoupling rod to leave only 1 or 2 turns of thread or drilling out thethreads in the threaded sleeve to leave 1 or 2 turns of thread.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coupler for coupling first and second elementsof a sports apparatus together comprising:a first coupling memberadapted for securing to the first sports apparatus element, the firstcoupling member including only one internal threaded region, the entireonly one internal threaded region having only a single uninterruptedconstant diameter thread; and a second coupling member adapted forsecuring to the second sports apparatus element, the second couplingmember including a first external threaded region, the entire firstexternal threaded region having only a single uninterrupted constantdiameter thread, the first external threaded region engaging theinternal threaded region of the first coupling member for coupling thesecond coupling member to the first coupling member, the first andsecond coupling members being firmly securable together withinapproximately one revolution, one of the coupling members having asmooth inner diameter portion and the other of the coupling membershaving a smooth elongate tip, the smooth elongate tip having a close fitwith the smooth inner diameter.
 2. The coupler of claim 1 furthercomprising a collar surrounding the first external threaded region. 3.The coupler of claim 2 in which the collar protects the first externalthreaded region of the second coupling member.
 4. The coupler of claim 3in which the position of the collar relative to the first externalthreaded region of the second coupling member determines the number ofrevolutions in which the second coupling member and the first couplingmember can be coupled together.
 5. The coupler of claim 1 in which thefirst coupling member has an external threaded region for coupling thefirst coupling member to the first sports apparatus element.
 6. Thecoupler of claim 5 in which the second coupling member has a secondexternal threaded region for coupling the second coupling member to thesecond sports apparatus element.
 7. The coupler of claim 6 in which thesecond coupling member has a region with a smooth diameter adjacent tothe second external threaded region.
 8. The coupler of claim 7 in whichthe second coupling member has a groove on the smooth diameter.
 9. Thecoupler of claim 1 in which the internal threaded region of the firstcoupling member and the first external threaded region of the secondcoupling member have truncated threads.
 10. The coupler of claim 1 inwhich the first coupling member has the smooth inner diameter portionand the second coupling member has the smooth elongate tip.
 11. Thecoupler of claim 10 in which the tip of the second coupling member has a5° angle for about 0.250 inches.
 12. The coupler of claim 10 in whichthe tip of the second coupling member terminates at a radius.
 13. Acoupler system for coupling first and second elements of a sportsapparatus together comprising:a first coupling member adapted forsecuring to the first sports apparatus element, the first couplingmember including only one internal threaded region, the entire only oneinternal threaded region having only a single uninterrupted constantdiameter thread; a second coupling member adapted for securing to thesecond sports apparatus element, the second coupling member including afirst external threaded region, the entire first external threadedregion having only a single uninterrupted constant diameter thread, thefirst external threaded region capable of engaging the internal threadedregion of the first coupling member for coupling the second couplingmember to the first coupling member, the first and second couplingmembers being firmly securable together within approximately onerevolution, one of the coupling members having a smooth inner diameterportion and the other of the coupling members having a smooth elongatetip, the smooth elongate tip having a close fit with the smooth innerdiameter; a first joint protector having an external threaded regioncapable of engaging the internal threaded region of the first couplingmember for coupling the first joint protector to the first couplingmember to protect the first coupling member; and a second jointprotector having an internal threaded region capable of engaging thefirst external threaded region of the second coupling member forcoupling the second joint protector to the second coupling member toprotect the second coupling member.
 14. The coupler system of claim 13in which the sports apparatus is a cue stick.
 15. The coupler system ofclaim 13 in which the external threaded region of the first jointprotector is positioned within a recess.
 16. The coupler system of claim13 in which the second joint protector has a protruding hub whichengages the second coupling member.
 17. The coupler system of claim 13in which the second coupling member has the smooth elongate tip, thesecond joint protector including a smooth inner diameter portion whichhas a close fit with the elongate tip.
 18. A coupler for coupling firstand second elements of a sports apparatus together comprising:a firstcoupling member adapted for securing to the first sports apparatuselement, the first coupling member including only one internal threadedregion, the entire only one internal threaded region having only asingle uninterrupted constant diameter thread; and a second couplingmember adapted for securing to the second sports apparatus element, thesecond coupling member including a first external threaded region, theentire first external threaded region having only a single uninterruptedconstant diameter thread, the first external threaded region engagingthe internal threaded region of the first coupling member for couplingthe second coupling member to the first coupling member, the first andsecond coupling members being firmly securable together withinapproximately one revolution, one of the coupling members having asmooth inner diameter portion and the other of the coupling membershaving a smooth outer diameter portion, the smooth outer diameterportion having a close fit with the smooth inner diameter portion.